Last year I wrote a couple SXSW Love Letters when it was all over, waxing rhapsodic about my time with Marc Maron and, you know, The Oak Ridge Boys. This year there was just too much. Every time I turned around there was some new "Holy crap I can't believe I'm witnessing this level of Awesome" moment.

Here's a few... well okay... nine:

I saw Frightened Rabbit twice and both times it was pretty much transcendent. I still can't get enough of The Midnight Organ Fight and their new album, The Winter of Mixed Drinks is quite fabulous, as well. Their live show is just as full of feeling and wonder. You should check out their Twitter feed, too, as it's full of amusing moments.

I guess the word on the street is that Hole's many SXSW appearances weren't a trainwreck and I would concur. Love is as... interesting as ever... and it wasn't just aging riot grrrls who were rocking out to "Miss World."

It doesn't get more charming than Daniel Martin Moore. Behind that voice and those haunting songs there's a very nice man with a kickass sense of humor.

I had no idea what to expect when I went to see comedian Ben Kronberg (pictured). He managed to make awkward, probably kind of offensive material hilarious. A bit sheepish, Kronberg has an adorable smile and an interesting wardrobe.

That tambourine player in The Drums is pure comedy gold.

The Temper Trap blew me away six ways to Sunday. Someone commented on my Nerve piece that they might be a one song band, but I must respectfully disagree. I was hooked from start to finish and then some despite the fact that people were dancing on me and shoving their cameras in my face in an effort to capture the magic. Also, Dougy Mandagi's got some moves.

Watching Hugh Padgham speak on the Producers Adapt and Survive panel was purty neat. A proper distinguished English gentleman, I've had a bit of a crush on HP since he won the Grammy for Synchronicity nine million years ago so it was most excellent that we finally got him here for the conference.

Major Lazer is a spectacle unto itself. If that kookiness comes to a town near you, I suggest you don't be missing it. I wish I had words to describe the things I saw but they wouldn't do it justice. They produced eye popping images that will be burned into my mind for many many days.

And of course, I think no SXSW will ever be complete now without Latvian pandas Instrumenti.

I think that's it for me... until this summer or next year. Never can tell around these parts. I hope you've enjoyed the LPQ/Pick Three reportage. I've had fun doing it. So much thrill of discovery, it is. As always, you can read it all here or peep the list of who participated there.

Don't forget, you can always follow us on that Twitter apparatus @sxsw and @mspark.

I hear Kentucky calling, lp

Photo by little ol' me